PLOT: In 1865, just as the American Civil War was drawing to a close, President Abraham Lincoln was shot (with remarkable ease, according to this film) while watching a play in the theatre. The assassin John Wilkes Booth was tracked down and shot, while fellow conspirators were arrested – including Mary Surratt (Wright), the owner of the boarding house where the Southern rebels plotted.

Senator and lawyer Reverdy Johnson (Wilkinson) is appointed Mary’s defence counsel. He in turn asks former soldier Frederick Aiken (McAvoy) to take charge in the trial. He’s convinced of Mary’s complicity in the plot but objects to the fact everything is stacked against her, including a clearly biased military jury. She’s not even allowed to testify in her defence. Publicly calling her trial an “abomination” doesn’t win him any favours, but can he stop them hanging her?

GOOD POINTS: It’s fairly well shot by Robert Redford and features good performances, especially from Wright. The cast includes classy actors like Kevin Kline and Danny Huston.

BAD POINTS: It’s all rather dull. It ought to come alive during the tense court scenes but they are more laboured than compelling. And if you know anything about the case, you’ll already know the downbeat ending – which is drawn out unnecessarily.